Essential Oils for Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the connective tissue in the body, especially joints; it is more common in the elderly but can occur at any age. There are over 100 types of arthritis including gout, scleroderma, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and septic arthritis; with the two most common forms being rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Each type has a unique set of causes, symptoms and treatments. It is important to consult with your health care provider to develop an individualized treatment plan. Aromatherapy and essential oils can be used as part of a comprehensive approach to lessen symptoms and support comfort.

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as the “wear and tear” disease as it causes degeneration of joint cartilage and bone. In healthy individuals, cartilage (a slippery white connective tissue) covers the end of the bone; cartilage acts as a shock absorber and allows bones to easily slide over each other.  Once the cartilage begins to wear, bone on bone contact occurs, bone or cartilage may chip and float in the joint space, bone spurs (a bone spur is an outgrowth of bone that can occur along the edges of a bone) may occur and joints may lose their natural shape, resulting in pain, stiffness and loss of mobility.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Age, injury, obesity, overuse, hypermobility of joints, diabetes, or other rheumatic diseases i.e. gout or RA, can all contribute to the occurrence of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis primarily affects weight bearing joints such as knees, hips, lower back, neck, fingers and thumbs.

Aromatherapy to help ease symptoms and provide comfort

There is no cure for osteoarthritis but maintaining a healthy weight and activity levels can help to slow progression and improve joint function. Warming and analgesic essential oils can be used to support ease of movement and pain reduction.

Suggested essential oils for osteoarthritis

Warming essential oils:
Nutmeg Myristica fragrans
Black Pepper Piper nigrum
Ginger Zingiber officinale
Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis

Analgesic essential oils for osteoarthritis:
Chamomile German Matricaria chamomilla
Chamomile Roman Anthemis nobilis
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
Eucalyptus Globulus Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus Citriodora Eucalyptus Citriodora
Peppermint Mentha piperita
Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis
Black Pepper Piper nigrum
Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
Ginger Zingiber officinale
Nutmeg Myristica fragrans
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Rosemary Rosemarinus officinalis
Clove Bud Eugenia caryophyllata
Marjoram Sweet Origanum majorana
Plai Zingiber cassumunar
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
Niaouli Melaleuca quinquenrvia

Suggested Synergy Blend of essential oils for osteoarthritis:
Joint Relief – Eucalyptus Globulus, Juniperberry, Lavender, Marjoram Sweet, Pine Needle

What are your favorite essential oils for osteoarthritis? Please visit us on Facebook and share your ideas.

Application Methods

Bath: (Moist heat may provide comfort and support increase in mobility of joints)
Mix 4-8 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or 1 cup Epsom Salt. Fill the tub with warm water and immerse yourself. Add the essential oil mixture and swirl the water around you. Remain in the tub for 10-15 minutes.

Compress: (Moist heat may provide comfort and support increase in mobility of joints)
Fill a basin with warm water. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil and briskly stir. Lay in a washcloth, wring, and apply to the area in need. Dip, wring, and apply 3 more times. Leave the last compress in place for 3 minutes.

Massage: Mix 6-30 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce of carrier oil or fragrance-free, natural lotion. Use to massage around joints where you are experiencing discomfort.
Suggested Carrier Oils: Tamanu Calophyllum inophyllum & Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis both have analgesic properties and are beneficial to use as a carrier oil or blended with other carrier oils such as fractionated coconut oil Cocos nucifera.

Would you like to learn more about essential oils – like where they come from, how they’re made and how to make your own special blends? Please download our free ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.

REFERENCES

Books
Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Shirley & Len Price
Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners by Ingrid Martin
Essential Aromatherapy by Susan & Valerie Worwood
The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential oils: handbook for everyday wellness by Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele

Research
Anti-inflammatory properties of Bornyl acetate the main volatile constituent in numerous conifer oils
Yang H1, Zhao R, Chen H, Jia P, Bao L, Tang H.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25545915

Anti-inflammatory activity of Ocimum americanum L. essential oil in experimental model of zymosan-induced arthritis.
Yamada AN1, Grespan R, Yamada ÁT, Silva EL, Silva-Filho SE, Damião MJ, de Oliveira Dalalio MM, Bersani-Amado CA, Cuman RK.
Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(4):913-26. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X13500614.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23895160

An in-depth review on the medicinal flora Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae).
Begum A1, Sandhya S1, Shaffath Ali S2, Vinod KR1, Reddy S1, Banji D2.
Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2013 Jan-Mar;12(1):61-73.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24584866

Topical dermal application of essential oils attenuates the severity of adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats.
Komeh-Nkrumah SA1, Nanjundaiah SM, Rajaiah R, Yu H, Moudgil KD.
Phytother Res. 2012 Jan;26(1):54-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3509. Epub 2011 May 5.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21544881

Comparative effects of two gingerol–containing Zingiber officinale extracts on experimental rheumatoid arthritis.
Funk JL1, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, Timmermann BN.
J Nat Prod. 2009 Mar 27;72(3):403-7. doi: 10.1021/np8006183.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19216559

Antinociceptive effect and GC/MS analysis of Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil from its aerial parts.
Martínez AL1, González-Trujano ME, Pellicer F, López-Muñoz FJ, Navarrete A.
Planta Med. 2009 Apr;75(5):508-11. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1185319. Epub 2009 Jan 30.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19184968

Web Reference
Mayo Clinic – Osteoarthritis

WebMD – Osteoarthritis